German Knights of the Air, 1914-18 : Holders of the Ordre Pour le Merite

German Knights of the Air documents the history of the prestigious Ordre pour le Merite and the lives of its eighty-one recipients. Popularly known as "The Blue Max", the award was presented to well-known heroes such as Richthofen, Goring, Udet, Immelman, and Boelcke, in addition to dozens of fighter pilots whose tales are told for the first time ever in these pages. Providing unique insight into the fragile world of World War I German pilots and observers, this book includes the stories of men like Peter Rieper, a balloon observer; von Groner, an aerial photographer; and Bernert, who ended the war with 28 victories to his credit, despite a disability that he hid from doctors and instructors. These incredible stories are enhanced by numerous photographs.